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Barking Spiders

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Posts posted by Barking Spiders

    Are Yanks and Brits quite far apart in general music tastes?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    3 hours ago, EliasMooseblaster said:

    It's a shame this is only for a single snapshot in time - you're quite right to mention different decadal trends, as I suspect they'd paint a much more interesting picture! Blues, for example, would have been huge in this country in the '60s and early '70s, but has dwindled to a niche interest in more recent decades; I think it's fair to say it's had a more stable (albeit small-ish) audience in the US. I'm sure EDM trends would be interesting, too - I'm no expert, but I think I'm right in saying that neither Garage nor Grime really translated their success across the pond.

     British rap aka Grime and most UK originated dance/electronica stuff (Garage, drum n' bass, breakbeat) has never broken through in the US, though I spose Dubstep sort of did albeit  an American version. It's also kind of peculiar that while Black Sabbath, Led Zep and Judas Priest are credited as pioneers of hard rock/metal, no such major scene/genre has ever come out of the UK unlike in N America with Grunge, Post Grunge, Nu Metal and Thrash.

    Are Yanks and Brits quite far apart in general music tastes?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    By chance I came across this

    https://business.yougov.com/content/42773-what-are-top-5-favorite-music-genres-us-and-uk

     

    Seems thereabouts maybe. Think about it. In the late 70s-mid 80s, Hair Metal (in which I include Van Halen) and the AOR stuff from Boston, Journey etc were both a big deal in the US but meant practically nowt in Blighty, which was more into New Wave, New Romantics, synth pop, dance and the like. Some might say but what about NWOBHM? It was only ever a niche thing in Blighty. Then in the late 80s-mid 90s thrash,  Grunge, post-Grunge and Nu-Metal were where it was at Stateside whereas the UK mainstream was more preoccupied with Madchester, Rave and Britpop. Even going back to the 70s when all the huge British classic rock bands were at their peak, it was in North America where they hit the big time massively whereas success in the UK was much more modest. I had a quick butchers at some UK rock acts that are a far bigger deal in the US than at home e.g. Ozzy Osbourne, Def Leppard, Bush and Bad Company. One thing about the graphic that 's surprising is that in the UK, Country music ranks at 21%! Maybe the decimal point should move left one space. Classical looks a bit high considering the BPI's annual sales stats. And not sure why Soul & R & B are separate. I thought R & B was just another term for Soul.

    If you could, would you be a Pro player

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    17 hours ago, lozkerr said:

    I do that. "I'm the Sabotagers' bassist" sounds way cooler than "I'm a data engineer in genomic research."

    Actually I'd be more interested someone told me they're a data engineer in genomic research than  a bass or any other musical instrument player. Sounds perverse on a site like this but whenever someone tells me they're a musician I leave it at that 

    If you could, would you be a Pro player

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    24 minutes ago, snorkie635 said:

    Never wanted to be a professional musician. As OP states, too many strains on relationships. I also refuse to fly anywhere  - ever (no discussion). Generally don't like travel and always liked early beddy-byes. Hate hotels. Will not be told what/how to play.

     

    just as well I never wanted to be a professional musician. 😵‍💫

    Yep I hear you. I've always been too partial to my own bed and toilet to ever be away from them for too long. Besides, I only like playing music I'd choose to listen to and could never bring myself to be a hired hand, whether in someone's band or as a sessioner. Then there's the stuff about being away too long getting in the way of lurve and a good social life. Playing in bands as a hobby has been enough for me..

    • Like 3

    Why had I never heard of The Wood Brothers until this year......?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    On 27/01/2022 at 00:40, Grimalkin said:

    A guitarist friend played me the John Scofield album 'A Go Go' not long after it came out in '98. As soon as I heard the rhythm section on the first track I thought it was class. Very organic, great sense of time, lovely feel:

     

     

    Yep one of my fave JS albums with it's laid back acoustic vibe which contrasts nicely with his Uberjam funky jazz/jazzy funk grooves

    What are you listening to right now?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Only recently decided to check out Smooth Chill on the DAB band . Definitely the best of the DAB radio stations specialising in downtempo and ambient electronica and other laid back stuff that aren't played anywhere else. Playlist includes the likes of St Germain, Fila Brazillia, Massive Attack, UNKLE, Moby, Groove Armada, Bent, Nightmares on Wax, Royksopp and Bonobo. Great stuff!

    So .... who are your fave bassists?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    While I've time for You Tubers like Charles Berthoud, I've not seen or heard them in a group playing songs so for that reason I don't include them. My list is pretty much set in stone...which links me straight to...Larry Graham and then Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Louis Johnson, Mark King, Julian Crampton, Deon Estus, Bakithi Kumalo, Bernard Edwards, Rocco Prestia, Stuart Zender, Neil Jason, Paul Jackson, Derek Forbes, Andre Berry, Kai Eckhardt, Richard Bona, Nate Watts and Armand Sabal-Lecco

    Three-song sequences

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    I could take any 3 song run from Pixies' Doolittle as it's the greatest rock album ever...IMO ....including Monkey Gone to Heaven/Crackity Jones/Mr Grieves, the opening trio of Debaser/Tame/Wave of Mutilation and La La  love you/No. 13 baby/There goes my gun

     

    Stranglers' Rattus Norvegicus runs it very close  with a cracking start...Sometimes/Toulouse/London Lady and a strong final flurry with Grip/Ugly/Down in the sewer

    • Like 3

    Do you subscribe to any Bass magazines?

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Barking Spiders

    I used to buy Bass Player or was it Bassist, can't remember exactly but it was a UK mag. Used to be occasionally good and I 'd buy it if there was a main feature on MK, MM, Louis Johnson and the like. Then the content gradually got skinnier while the number of ad pages multiplied. Cant see there's any need for print music mags now there's so much bass content on YT etc.

    Really struggling with fingerstyle

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    10 minutes ago, MikeTheMisfit said:

     

    Do you play quite softly with your fingers then? Perhaps i am plucking too hard.

    Some well known players like Geddy Lee often dig in really hard but IMO start off softly using the fingertips rather than the pads. Another tip is to just fret the bottom string  and strike with with the index finger first playing quarter notes then advancing to 8ths gradually adding the index and then the ring finger. Of course, it goes without saying to do this with a metronome.

    Really struggling with fingerstyle

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    agree with suggestions doing chromatic exercises. Try playing scales slowly with just the index finger first, then moving to the middle finger when ready and so on. Do this while watching TV etc to develop muscle memory but avoiding getting bored. BTW I played classical guitar before picking up a bass so it was quite easy to transpose. Conversely I've never played acoustic with a pick and am still not comfortable using one to play bass after 30 years! 

    • Like 2
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